I have replaced an old spring for a new gas tank crack

ducpainter · December 02, 2009, 02:35:42 PM

Quote from: scott_araujo on December 02, 2009, 02:26:56 PM
They sandblasted the outside where they did the repair to do the repair, nothing past that. I don't remember if they offered to paint it but I probably would have turned it down. It'a a radiator shop, not a body shop. Just a little overspray and I'd be looking at respraying the whole tank to 'fix' it. No thanks. I was happy they fixed it without destroying any visible paint. The first shop (same name, diff location) said they had to throw the whole tank into caustic solution and I'd just have to get the whole thing repainted. Needless to say I went to the other location for a second opinion.

I picked it up, cleaned and painted it right away on the outside with a scotchbrite pad, acetone, and rattle can primer and paint. DP, I think we had discussed in another thread that without some kind of coating inside the tank the metal there is now more susceptible to rust so I'm keeping an eye on it, lest it rot through from the indside. Maybe that'll be my winter project.

Scott

Yes it is more susceptible to rust.

Don't over think it Scott...

coat the tank.

scott_araujo · December 02, 2009, 03:36:02 PM

It's still sunny enough to ride to work. January

Michael · December 02, 2009, 04:44:12 PM

Quote from: scott_araujo on December 02, 2009, 03:36:02 PM
It's still sunny enough to ride to work. January

whisky tango foxtrot

Quote from: ducpainter on December 02, 2009, 02:35:42 PM
Yes it is more susceptible to rust.

Don't over think it Scott...

coat the tank.

ducpainter, when you say "coat the tank", you mean inside with POR 15, right?

Would POR 15 go on the outside at all, or just just put primer and pain after the brazing?

Speeddog · December 02, 2009, 05:53:13 PM

I'll go out on a pretty stout limb here...

Yes, coating the inside with POR15.
Primer and paint on the outside.

mojo · December 02, 2009, 06:22:36 PM

Slight threadjack (sorry Michael).
I'm planning on doing the tank hinge "mod" this winter. Question is, does the hinge need to be brazed, or can I MIG weld it? I have a MIG welder at work, but I haven't done any brazing since high school
End slight threadjack.

Speeddog · December 02, 2009, 06:40:07 PM

I've seen a tank that was TIG welded.

I wouldn't recommend MIG welding a tank, they're quite thin.

Michael · December 02, 2009, 07:22:05 PM

Quote from: mojo on December 02, 2009, 06:22:36 PM
Slight threadjack (sorry Michael).
I'm planning on doing the tank hinge "mod" this winter. Question is, does the hinge need to be brazed, or can I MIG weld it? I have a MIG welder at work, but I haven't done any brazing since high school
End slight threadjack.

NP -- It just seemed like a very random comment on the weather. I see now how it was in context.

Anyway, why is brazing better than regular welding? Is regular welding to hot? And would TIG welding be better or easier?

ducpainter · December 03, 2009, 02:22:46 AM

The weld process used is really inconsequential, although oxy-acetylene would require way too much heat.

The idea is to add weld to take the stress off the spot welds.

I use brass because it's sufficient to accomplish the job and looks good when primed or painted without any finishing of the weld.

Michael · December 03, 2009, 09:32:54 AM

* UPDATE *

So I've removed the tank.

It was pretty easy to do. I wish I had done it right away now, so there wouldn't be so much fuel leaked. I don't mind the gasoline smell in the garage (it makes it smell like a real garage), but my wife isn't too happy with the smell that is lingering in the laundry room and kitchen (can't blame her).

Draining:
- Very easy. After disconnecting the fuel filter line, it all just poured out nicely. And it wasn't messy at all, I just plugged the hole with my finger until I got it over to my gas can.

Cleaning:
- Once drained, I cleaned the outside with a little soap and water so that no gas was left on the paint.

Fuel pump:
- The fuel pump is not inside the tank, so no "innards" need to be removed except for the level sensor (unless I'm totally missing something).

Now it's just sitting in my garage. I have a friend of a friend that might help with the welding. I mean, he's a professional, but he might hook me up with some inexpensive brazing.

scott_araujo · December 03, 2009, 09:54:16 AM

Nope, my mistake. I've got the newer fuel injection with the fuel filter and pump inside the tank. I think you have carbs and there's less in there, and mounted differently. Still, go to the Ducati website, get the exploded diagram for your bike, and make sure you remove everything in the tank. They're going to run caustic through it and also get it pretty hot when the braze/weld it. You don't want anything that can get damaged or catch fire in there.

Scott

Michael · December 03, 2009, 11:06:18 AM

Some photos ...

Howie · December 03, 2009, 11:40:31 AM

Doh

Your bike is old enough that it still has the drain plug.

Michael · December 03, 2009, 11:56:42 AM

Wow ... check this out:

Recall ID
#30894 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Recall Date
MAR 11, 1999

Motorcycle Affected
1996 DUCATI M900

Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL LINE CONNECTING THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL COCK CAN LEAK.

Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THIS FUEL LINE.

Michael · December 03, 2009, 12:06:13 PM

* UPDATE *

So, I called the dealer, and according to my VIN, I'm not eligible for any part replacements.

Oh well.

scott_araujo · December 03, 2009, 02:04:14 PM

Figured out if it's a crack leaking or something else?

Scott

News:

I have replaced an old spring for a new gas tank crack